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Topic Review (Newest First)

06-18-2004 05:41 PM

clay

get the pygmy rasboras that are out there. they are cool, like tha maculata or the brigettes.

06-16-2004 03:54 AM

Rosko_22

Do you have any fish for algae eating? Or are you planning on getting any? If so, I'd say go with a couple oto cats, they're small and not aggressive in the least. That school of rasboras you're planning on building up should look great in your tank, very nice fish.

05-30-2004 02:51 PM

trenac

Eman...I would wait one week before adding anymore Rasboras, then you can go ahead and add 3-4 more.

05-30-2004 02:25 PM

Eman

Okay so i went to my lfs and got three Harlequin Rasboras. These little guys are great. they seem very happy and healthy, and are swimming all over the place. Anyway the first plants i got were the Walmart bulbs. I got them because everyone was saying how well they grow and easy to maintain. Apon. and some kind of plant that resembles the tiger lotus. Im really excited to watch them grow. Plus they don't really need a lot of lighting. I have one question, how long do you suggest i wait until i add some more Rasboras. I want to have a school of six or seven. They shouldn't add to much to the bioload because they are so tiny Right?

Thanks
Eman

05-26-2004 04:40 PM

Wasserpest

Hi Eman,

The tank came with a two bulb fixture, which I fitted with two Walmart 10W fluorescent bulbs. I also used mirror tiles to diy a very efficient reflector, so even with 20W only a lot of light goes into the tank.

I took a look at your 10 gallon tank, and was wondering what kind of lighting you use and the names of your plants. Maybe i could get some ideas

thanks to everybody who has replyed you have been very helpful. I think i will end up using the 2x13W kit at AHSupply.com

Again Thanks

05-24-2004 03:17 PM

Wasserpest

One 15W bulb isn't much fun. I would recommend to check out www.ahsupply.com and look at the 2x 13W kits, they come with good reflectors, and if they fit into your hood, would give you some good light.
Oh... I guess Amanda said that already...

05-24-2004 05:53 AM

amanda huggenkiss

What wattage should you get? Depends on what plants you'd like to grow. With what you've got right now you can grow low light plants (e.g. ferns, some crypts). If you want to grow medium light plants, you should have at least 2wpg, and for high light plants you'll need at least 3wpg.

If you're new to planted tanks, I would recommend staying under 3wpg (it's generally accepted that once you get over 3wpg, things get more difficult to keep in balance, and you'd need to look at adding CO2 as well).

Based on the list of plants you posted earlier, you should be fine with around 2-2.5 wpg. If you're interested in compact fluorescents, you could get a 28watt compact fluorescent, or perhaps two 13watt compact fluorescents.

05-24-2004 02:44 AM

Eman

is there a certain wattage i should get?

05-23-2004 02:34 AM

trenac

I would suggest you get a power compact light fixture, more bang for your buck.

05-21-2004 10:47 PM

Eman

If i wanted better lighting for plants that require it. what would you suggest i get.

05-21-2004 04:32 AM

amanda huggenkiss

A 15watt bulb over a 10 gallon tank is only 1.5 wpg. Unless you want to upgrade your lighting by buying a new fixture or a retrofit kit, you need to be looking at low light plants. You can probably keep a lot of other plants alive under that amount of light, but they won't thrive.

For a long time, I only had 20watts on my 29 gallon, and I had a sword, dwarf sag, h. polysperma, rotala rotifunda and rotala macranda. They were all alive, but they weren't growing until I added better lighting.

If you want to stick with low light plants, you can look at java ferns and some of the crypts. I also just added lymnophila sessiflora to my low light 6 gallon, and so far it seems to be doing really well.

05-20-2004 11:46 PM

Eman

Ok, i took apart the hood and found out that the light bulb is 15 watts.

05-20-2004 11:40 PM

amanda huggenkiss

Can you check the bulb itself to see if the wattage is printed on it? If not, the fixture should have some sort of label stating the type of bulb required. Perhaps in the documentation that came with the kit? There must be some reference to replacement bulbs...?

05-20-2004 11:36 PM

Eman

it came with one flourescent bulb. Im have no idea how many watts.

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